Analysis unit and system for assessment of hair condition

ABSTRACT

A system for assessment of hair condition. The system has an analysis unit arranged to at least obtain a first follicular map representing a first plurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image. The analysis unit is arranged to analyse at least the first follicular map to determine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition. The system may be arranged to perform an image processing algorithm on a first videodermoscopy image to obtain the first follicular map.

FIELD The invention relates to an analysis unit for assessment of haircondition, a system for assessment of hair condition, a method forassessment of hair condition, and a computer program product. BACKGROUNDART

Hair condition, in particular hair disorders, have traditionally beenassessed by clinical inspection and a number of invasive methodsincluding a pull-test, a trichogram obtained from extraction ofapproximately hundred hairs for microscopic inspection of their roots,and patomorphology which uses biopsy after extraction of skin tissue formicroscopic inspection.

In 2006, it was proposed by Ross, E K, Vincenzi, C I, and Tosti, A. thata dermoscope or videodermoscope, traditionally used for skin lesionobservations, may be used for diagnosing hair disorders. Since thentheir method, usually referred to as trichoscopy, has gained somepopularity due to its non-invasiveness. A number of studies have beencarried out to provide guidelines for disease diagnosis based on visual,qualitative inspection of the videodermosopy images by a traineddermatologist doctor. Visual trichoscopy has generally focused onsetting the initial diagnosis based on certain characteristic featuresobserved in the dermoscopy images of the scalp, such as broken hair,yellow dots, black dots, tulip hair, arborizing vessels, etc. Thisqualitative inspection of the videodermosopy images did not providetools to, for example, clearly distinguish between most commonconditions like to distinguish Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) from diffuseAlopecia areata (AA) and Telogen effluvium (TE), precisely measureadvancement of AGA, or to precisely measure therapy efficiency oncemedication is introduced.

The term trichoscopy may further be used to refer to a technique used inthe assessment of hair condition, examination of symptoms of hairdisorder, diagnosis of hair disorders, and monitoring hair treatmentefficiency. Trichoscopy uses a microscopic camera, a so-calledvideodermoscope to register high resolution images of hair and scalp orother skin. Such images may further be referred to as videodermoscopyimages. In known methods, the videodermoscopy images are subject tomanual or computer-assisted analysis to try to identify all hair shaftsand measure hair diameters. A statistical analysis of images registeredbefore and after the treatment allows to assess the response totreatment in terms of, for example, hair number or hair density, hairthickness and hair volume. In order to try to detect therapeutic effectsin the pre- and post-image comparison, a multiple micro tattoo markingis used to help to identify the same skin location and field of view,with the aim of positioning the videodermoscope at the same positionafter the treatment as before. Known methods suffer from variouslimitations. For example, it may be difficult or even impossible to drawany conclusions if the overall hair density change is statisticallyinsignificant. Also, currently used methods do not allow to ensure thatthe pre- and post-images represent really the same skin area. Further,with known methods, the precision of the analysis relies strongly onexactly the same positioning of the camera on the skin and the samefield of view.

Known trichoscopy techniques used in the assessment of hair condition,examination of symptoms of hair disorder, diagnosis of hair disordersand monitoring hair treatment efficiency thus still suffer from variouslimitations.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the invention provides an analysis unit for assessmentof hair condition, the analysis unit comprising a map processor, the mapprocessor being arranged to at least obtain a first follicular maprepresenting a first plurality of hair root positions in a firstvideodermoscopy image, and analyse at least the first follicular map todetermine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition.Assessment of hair condition may comprise supporting examination ofsymptoms of hair disorder, supporting examination of symptoms of skindisorder, supporting diagnosis of hair disorder, supporting diagnosis ofskin disorder, supporting examination of treatment, supportingexamination of a change in hair condition, or supporting examinationand/or evaluation of treatment efficiency. The analysis result suitablefor assessment of hair condition may relate to, consist of or comprise aparameter known and used in triochoscopy such as hair density. Theanalysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition may relate to,consist of or comprise any other analysis result for assessment haircondition, such as, for example, one of the analysis results describedwith reference to embodiments below, for example being indicative ofAGA. The analysis unit may be arranged to support diagnosis of hairdisorder. The analysis unit may additionally or alternatively bearranged to support examination and/or evaluation of treatmentefficiency. The analysis unit may be used in trichoscopy to assess haircondition. Using the first follicular map representing the firstplurality of hair root positions as an alternative of using acorresponding first videodermoscopy image, or in addition to using thecorresponding first videodermoscopy image, may provide an analysisresult that is better suitable for assessment of hair conditionaccording to known methods. The analysis result may, for example,comprise a known type of analysis result, such as hair density, that ismore accurately determined than at last some known methods. The analysisresult may, additionally or alternatively, comprise a new type of resultthat is better suitable than known types as, for example, an resultindicative of a degree of AGA. Examples are described below withreference to various embodiments. The analysis unit may be arranged toanalyse a plurality of follicular maps, the plurality of follicular mapscomprising the first follicular map, to determine an analysis resultsuitable for assessment of hair condition. The analysis unit may bearranged to analyse at least the first follicular map and acorresponding first videodermoscopy image, to determine an analysisresult suitable for assessment of hair condition. The variousembodiments described below may be used autonomously or in combinationof one or more embodiments. The embodiments described may overcome,reduce or alleviate various limitations of known trichoscopy techniques.The specific limitation or limitations that are overcome, reduced oralleviated by a specific embodiment may be different for the differentembodiments and any combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the analysis unit further comprises an imageprocessor, the image processor being arranged to perform an imageprocessing algorithm on a first videodermoscopy image to generate thefirst follicular map representing the first plurality of hair rootpositions in the first videodermoscopy image, and the map processorbeing arranged to obtain the first follicular map from the imageprocessor.

In an embodiment, the image processor is arranged to, as part ofobtaining the first follicular map, cooperate with a map modificationunit, the map modification unit being arranged to present the firstfollicular map as obtained from the performing of the image processingalgorithm on the first videodermoscopy image to a human assistant, andallow the human assistant to review the first follicular map and tomodify the first follicular map such as to, at least, add and/or removeone or more hair root positions from the first follicular map.

In an embodiment, the map processor is arranged to, as part of analysingat least the first follicular map to determine the analysis result,perform a statistical analysis of hair root distances between hair rootspositions of the first plurality of hair root positions.

In an embodiment, the map processor is arranged to, as part ofperforming the statistical analysis of hair root distances between hairroot positions, determine a hair root distance distribution, anddetermine at least a first and a second relative contribution to thehair root distance distribution of at least a first and a seconddistribution component function.

In an embodiment, the relative contribution of the first distributioncomponent function is an indication for a degree of a hair disorder of afirst type. For example, the relative contribution of the firstdistribution component function is an indication for a degree of AGA.

In an embodiment, the map processor is further arranged to at leastobtain a second follicular map representing a second plurality of hairroot positions in a second videodermoscopy image, and determine a commonskin area from the first follicular map and the second follicular map.The map processor may further be arranged to use the common skin area inanalysing at least the first follicular map to determine the analysisresult suitable for assessment of hair condition. The map processor maybe arranged to use the common skin area in analysing at least the firstand the second follicular map to determine the analysis result suitablefor assessment of hair condition. For example, comparing the common skinarea of a first follicular map obtained from a first videodermoscopyimage recorded at a first moment in time with the common skin area ofthe second follicular map obtained from a second videodermoscopy imagerecorded at a second, later, moment in time may provide an analysisresult that is better suitable for assessment of hair condition thanknown methods, such as for assessment of a change in hair conditionbetween the first moment and the second moment, for example as result ofa treatment. For example, the analysis result may comprise a change inhair density and/or a change in number of hair and/or identification ofappeared and disappeared hair, which may be more accurately obtainedusing the common skin area than from a mere comparison of the first andsecond videodermoscopy images or the corresponding hair densitiesdetermined therefrom. Other examples are described below with referenceto various embodiments.

In an embodiment, the image processor is further arranged to perform animage processing algorithm on a second videodermoscopy image to generatethe second follicular map representing the second plurality of hair rootpositions in the second videodermoscopy image, and the map processor isarranged to obtain the second follicular map from the image processor.

In an embodiment, the map processor comprises a matching unit, thematching unit being arranged to at least relate hair root positions inthe second follicular map to hair root positions of the first follicularmap in the common skin area to determine a plurality of related hairroot positions, each related hair root position of a hair root in thesecond follicular map being related to a hair root position in the firstfollicular map of the same hair root. A related hair root position of ahair root in the second follicular map may hereby be related to a hairroot position in the first follicular map of the same hair rootrepresenting presumably the same hair follicle in the second and firstvideodermoscopy images. The map processor may further be arranged tocompare a change in condition of individual hair between the first andsecond videodermoscopy image to determine the analysis result suitablefor assessment of hair condition.

In an embodiment, the matching unit is arranged to initialize atransformation function, and to iteratively adapt the transformationfunction, the iterative adaptation comprising applying thetransformation function to the first plurality of hair root positions ofthe first follicular map to obtain a first plurality of transformed hairroot positions, relating the first plurality of transformed hair rootpositions to the second plurality of hair root positions of the secondfollicular map, determining relative distances between transformed hairroot positions of the first plurality of transformed hair root positionsand the related hair root positions of the second plurality of hair rootpositions to obtain a correspondence metric, and adapting thetransformation function to minimize the correspondence metric.

In an embodiment, the matching unit is arranged to, as part ofiteratively adapting the transformation function, further use at leastone parameter of hair associated with the transformed hair rootpositions and hair associated with the related hair root positions toobtain the correspondence metric, the at least one parameter comprisingat least one parameter from a group consisting of hair shaft diameter,hair length, hair growth, hair color.

In an embodiment, the matching unit is arranged to, as part ofinitializing the transformation function, detect positions of a firstplurality of reference symbols on the skin in the first videodermoscopyimage, detect positions of a second plurality of reference symbols onthe skin in the second videodermoscopy image, and initialize thetransformation function to reflect a transformation from the positionsof a first plurality of reference symbols to the positions of a secondplurality of reference symbols.

In an embodiment, the map processor is further arranged to at leastanalyse differences between at least the common skin area in the firstfollicular map and the common skin area in the second follicular map todetermine the analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition.

In an embodiment, the map processor is further arranged to, indetermining the analysis result, identify an appearing of new hairshafts in the common skin area in the second follicular map compared tothe common skin area in the first follicular map.

In an embodiment, the map processor is further arranged to, indetermining the analysis result, identify a disappearing of hair fromthe common skin area in the second follicular map compared to the commonskin area in the first follicular map.

In an embodiment, the map processor is further arranged to at leastanalyse differences between at least the common skin area in the firstvideodermoscopy image and the common skin area in the secondvideodermoscopy image to determine the analysis result suitable forassessment of hair condition.

In an embodiment, the map processor is further arranged to, in analysedifferences between at least the common skin area in the firstvideodermoscopy image and the common skin area in the secondvideodermoscopy image, determine differences between at least oneparameters of a group of parameters consisting of average hair diameter,hair diameter distribution, average hair length, hair lengthdistribution, hair colors, hair color distribution, and/or at least onehair density.

A second aspect of the invention provides a system for assessment ofhair condition, the system comprising an upload unit, an analysis unitaccording to any one of the preceding claims, and a presentation unit,the upload unit being arranged to receive one or more videodermoscopyimages, the one or more videodermoscopy images comprising at least thefirst videodermoscopy image and to upload the one or morevideodermoscopy images to the analysis unit, the analysis unit beingarranged to receive the one or more videodermoscopy images from theupload unit and to obtain a videodermoscopic analysis result from theone or more videodermoscopy images, the videodermoscopic analysis resultcomprising the analysis result suitable for assessment of hair conditionand/or an examination result derived from the analysis result, and thepresentation unit being arranged to receive the videodermoscopicanalysis result from the analysis unit and to present at least part ofthe analysis result to a user.

In an embodiment, the system further comprising a result check unit, theresult check unit being arranged to receive the videodermoscopicanalysis result from the analysis unit, review the videodermoscopicanalysis result and to modify the videodermoscopic analysis result,provide the videodermoscopic analysis result as modified to thepresentation unit to allow the presentation unit to present at leastpart of the videodermoscopic analysis result as modified to the user.

In an embodiment, the upload unit is connected to the analysis unit viaa communication network.

In an embodiment, the presentation unit is connected to the analysisunit via a communication network.

In an embodiment, the system further comprises a user terminal, the userterminal comprising the upload unit and the presentation unit, the userterminal being connected to the analysis unit via a communicationnetwork.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method for assessment of haircondition, the method comprising obtaining a first follicular maprepresenting a first plurality of hair root positions in a firstvideodermoscopy image, and analysing at least the first follicular mapto determine an analysis result suitable for assessment of haircondition.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises performing an imageprocessing algorithm on a first videodermoscopy image to obtain thefirst follicular map representing the first plurality of hair rootpositions in the first videodermoscopy image.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises obtaining a secondfollicular map representing a second plurality of hair root positions ina second videodermoscopy image, and determining a common skin area fromthe first follicular map and the second follicular map.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises performing an imageprocessing algorithm on a second videodermoscopy image to obtain thesecond follicular map representing the second plurality of hair rootpositions in the second videodermoscopy image.

In an embodiment, the method comprises uploading one or morevideodermoscopy images to an analysis unit via a communication network,for letting the analysis unit perform the method according to any one ofthe embodiments above, and receiving the videodermoscopic analysisresult from the analysis via the communication network.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises receiving one or morevideodermoscopy images by an upload unit, uploading the one or morevideodermoscopy images from the upload unit to an analysis unit via acommunication network, for letting the analysis unit perform the methodaccording to an embodiment, and presenting at least part of thevideodermoscopic analysis result to a user.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a computer program productcomprising a computer program comprising instructions arranged to, whenexecuted by a computer, execute at least part of the method of any oneof the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will beelucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. Inthe drawings,

FIG. 1 shows an analysis unit for assessment of hair condition accordingto an embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows an analysis unit for assessment of hair condition accordingto a further embodiment,

FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b schematically shows distributions measured infollicular maps of a first and a second person respectively,

FIG. 4 shows an analysis unit for assessment of hair condition accordingto another embodiment,

FIG. 5 schematically shows a first and second follicular map and thecommon skin area,

FIG. 6 shows an analysis unit for assessment of hair condition accordingto again another embodiment,

FIG. 7 shows an analysis unit for assessment of hair condition accordingto again another embodiment,

FIG. 8 schematically shows a system SYS for assessment of haircondition,

FIG. 9-FIG. 11 schematically show methods for assessment of haircondition according to embodiments, and

FIG. 12 shows a computer readable medium comprising a computer programproduct.

It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers indifferent Figures, have the same or corresponding structural featuresand the same or corresponding functions, or are the same orcorresponding signals. Where the function and/or structure of such anitem has been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanationthereof in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an analysis unit ANA for assessment of hair conditionaccording to an embodiment. The analysis unit ANA comprises a mapprocessor MPP. The map processor is arranged to at least obtain a firstfollicular map FM1 representing a first plurality of hair root positionsin a first videodermoscopy image. The map processor is further arrangedto analyse at least the first follicular map FM1 to determine ananalysis result ANR1 suitable for assessment of hair condition.

The map processor MPP may be arranged to obtain the first follicular mapFM1 from a storage. The map processor MPP may be arranged to obtain thefirst follicular map FM1 from receiving the first follicular map FM1over a communication channel, such as from a communication network. Themap processor may obtain the first follicular map from a storage, suchas from a patient database wherein the first follicular map is stored.The map processor may alternatively obtain the first follicular map froman image processor that is arranged to generate the first follicular mapfrom a first videodermoscopy image.

Examination of hair condition may relate to diagnosis of hair disorders.Examination of hair condition may additionally or alternatively relateto identification and/or measurement of an advancement of hair disorder,measurement of a result of a treatment of a hair disorder, measurementof an effect and/or effectiveness of a medical treatment, or measurementof an effect and/or effectiveness of a cosmetic treatment.

The analysis result may, e.g., comprise an average hair root density, anaverage distance between hair roots, statistical parameters representinga statistics of distances between hair roots, or another parameterderivable from hair root positions.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of an analysis unit ANA′ forassessment of hair condition according to an embodiment. The analysisunit ANA′ comprises an image processor IMP and a map processor MPP. Theimage processor IMP is arranged to perform an image processing algorithmon a first videodermoscopy image IM1 to generate a first follicular mapFM1 representing a first plurality of hair root positions in the firstvideodermoscopy image IM1. The map processor MPP is arranged to obtainthe first follicular map from the image processor IMP. As in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the map processor is further arranged toanalyse at least the first follicular map FM1 to determine an analysisresult ANR1 suitable for assessment of hair condition.

The map processor may be connected to the image processor and arrangedto obtain the first follicular map directly from the image processor.The map processor may be connected to the image processor via one ormore intermediate devices or channels and the map processor is arrangedto obtain the first follicular map from the image processor via the oneor more intermediate devices or channels. In an embodiment, the mapprocessor is connected to a storage unit, the image processor isconnected to the storage unit, the image processor is arranged to storethe first follicular map in the storage unit, and the map processor isarranged to obtain the first follicular map from the image processor byretrieving it from the storage unit. The retrieval from the storage unitmay occur substantially immediately after the first follicular map wasstored in the storage unit by the image processor. The retrieval fromthe storage unit may alternatively occur at a much later moment in timethan when the first follicular map was stored in the storage unit by theimage processor, to allow a later analysis of the first follicular map,for example, when a second follicular map has become available after aperiod of time, to allow to compare a change of the follicular map overtime to support the examination of symptoms of hair diseases.

The image processing algorithm performed on the first videodermoscopyimage IM1 to generate the first follicular map FM1 representing thefirst plurality of hair root positions in the first videodermoscopyimage IM1, may comprise any combination of suitable pattern recognitionalgorithms and qualification algorithms, such as binarization, adaptivethresholding, noise detection, blob detection, blob recombination, linetracking, hair crossing recombination, end detection, watersheddivision, and tip-follicle qualification.- The image processingalgorithm may be supplemented by a manual correction by operators, for,e.g., removal of mistakes, addition of non-detected hair, removal offalsely detected hair, addition or removal of hair follicles. Thespatial coordinates of the hair follicles identified in the field ofview of the first videodermoscopy image may be referred to as the firstfollicular map FM1. The first follicular map FM1 thus represents thefirst plurality of hair root positions in the first videodermoscopyimage IM1. The first follicular map FM1 may be stored and/or presentedas a list of spatial coordinates, such as (x, y) coordinates in thefirst videodermoscopy image IM1, as a graphical representation, or inany other suitable form. The first follicular map FM1 may, e.g., bepresented on screen together with the first videodermoscopy image, suchas side-by-side with the first videodermoscopy image or as an overlay onthe first videodermoscopy image.

FIG. 2 thus shows an embodiment of an analysis unit ANA′ for assessmentof hair condition, the analysis unit comprising an image processor IMParranged to at least perform an image processing algorithm on a firstvideodermoscopy image IM1 to obtain a first follicular map FM1representing a first plurality of hair root positions in the firstvideodermoscopy image IM1, and a map processor MPP arranged to analyseat least the first follicular map FM1 to determine an analysis resultANR1 suitable for assessment of hair condition.

FIG. 2 further that, in further embodiments, the analysis unit ANA′ maycomprise a map modification unit MOD. The image processor IMP isarranged to, as part of obtaining the first follicular map FM1,cooperate with the map modification unit MOD. The map modification unitMOD is arranged to present the first follicular map FM1 as obtained fromthe performing of the image processing algorithm on the firstvideodermoscopy image to a human assistant, and allow the humanassistant to review the first follicular map FM1 and to modify the firstfollicular map FM1 such as to, at least, add and/or remove one or morehair root positions from the first follicular map FM1. The firstfollicular map as reviewed and modified is thereafter used for analyzingat least the first follicular map to determine the analysis resultsuitable for assessment of hair condition. Using review by humanassistants may improve the quality of the follicular map significantly.In further embodiments, the map modification unit MOD is furtherarranged to present the first follicular map FM1 as obtained from theperforming of the image processing algorithm on the firstvideodermoscopy image IM1 to a plurality of human assistants, to alloweach of the human assistant to review the first follicular map and topropose to modify the first follicular map such as to, at least, addand/or remove one or more hair root positions from the first follicularmap. In these embodiments, the map modification unit MOD may be arrangedto compare the proposals from the plurality of human assistants forremoving one or more hair root positions from the first follicular mapFM1, and to decide from the comparison which hair root position of theproposed one or more hair root positions from the first follicular mapto delete. For example, the map modification unit MOD may be arranged touse a majority voting in deciding which of the proposed one or more hairroot positions is to be deleted. Using majority voting of a plurality ofreviews by human assistants may improve the quality of the follicularmap even further.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as well as in furtherembodiments, the map processor MPP may be arranged to, as part ofanalysing at least the first follicular map to determine the analysisresult, perform a statistical analysis of hair root distances betweenhair roots positions of the first plurality of hair root positions.

Herein, the map processor MPP may be arranged to, as part of performingthe statistical analysis of hair root distances between hair rootpositions, determine a hair root distance distribution, and determine atleast a first and a second relative contribution to the hair rootdistance distribution of at least a first and a second distributioncomponent function.

For example, the first and second relative contributions may be obtainedfrom, a two-component fit to the distribution, with the firstcontribution reflecting the dominant component for a specific hairdisorder and the second contribution reflecting the dominant componentfor healthy hair. Optionally more contributions may be used reflectingrespective dominant component for other specific hair disorders.

In an embodiment, the relative contribution of the first distributioncomponent function being an indication for a degree of a hair disorderof a first type. E.g., when the relative contribution is found to be ina first indicator range, such as larger than 35%, this may be anindication of androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

An example is shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b . FIG. 3a shows thedistribution of distances to all other hair follicles in the follicularmap of a first, healthy, person. FIG. 3b shows the distribution ofdistances to all other hair follicles in the follicular map of a secondperson who has AGA in an advanced stage. In each Figure, the resultingdistribution, indicated as points P(r), is fitted in the low distancerange (in this example, distances r<600 μm) by a model consisting of asum of two components: a first component labeled AGA that is a lineardistribution, and a second component labeled non-AGA that is peaked atlow values and has a varying width. The first component represents adistribution that is characteristic for AGA. The second componentrepresents a distribution that is characteristic for healthyindividuals. The relative contribution of the first component provides ameasure to assess AGA advancement.

FIG. 4 shows an analysis unit ANA″ for assessment of hair conditionaccording to another embodiment. The analysis unit ANA″ comprises a mapprocessor MPP′. The map processor MPP′ is arranged to at least obtain afirst follicular map FM1 representing a first plurality of hair rootpositions in a first videodermoscopy image and a second follicular mapFM2 representing a second plurality of hair root positions in a secondvideodermoscopy image. The map processor MPP′ is further arranged toanalyse at least the first follicular map FM1 and the second follicularmap FM2 to determine an analysis result ANR2 suitable for assessment ofhair condition.

The map processor MPP′ may, similarly as described with respect to themap processors shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, obtain the first and secondfollicular map FM1, FM2 from retrieving the maps from a storage,receiving them from a communication network, or receive them from theimage processor IMP′. For example, the image processor IMP′ may befurther arranged to perform an image processing algorithm on a secondvideodermoscopy image to generate the second follicular map representingthe second plurality of hair root positions in the secondvideodermoscopy image, and the map processor MPP′ may be arranged toobtain the second follicular map from the image processor.

Similar to analysis unit ANA′ shown in FIG. 2, the analysis unit ANA″may comprise a map modification unit MOD′. The image processor IMP isarranged to, as part of obtaining the first follicular map FM1 as wellas part of obtaining the second follicular map FM2, cooperate with themap modification unit MOD′. The map modification unit MOD′ is arrangedto present the first and second follicular maps FM1, FM2 as obtainedfrom the performing of the image processing algorithm on the first andsecond videodermoscopy image to a human assistant, and allow the humanassistant to review the first and second follicular map FM1, FM2 and tomodify the first and second follicular map FM1, FM2 such as to, atleast, add and/or remove one or more hair root positions from the firstand/or second follicular map FM1, FM2. The first and second follicularmap as reviewed and modified is thereafter used for analyzing at leastthe first and second follicular map to determine the analysis resultsuitable for assessment of hair condition.

In an embodiment, the map processor MPP′ is further arranged todetermine a common skin area from the first follicular map FM1 and thesecond follicular map FM2. This is illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5schematically shows a first and second follicular map FM1, FM2 and thecommon skin area. The common skin area thus corresponds to a part OV1 ofthe first follicular map FM1 that corresponds to a part OV2 of thesecond follicular map FM2 which corresponds to the same skin area as thepart OV1 of the first follicular map FM1. These parts may further bereferred to as the common skin area OV1 of the first follicular map FM1and the common skin area OV2 of the second follicular map FM2. The mapprocessor MPP′ may be arranged to as part of determining the common skinarea from the first follicular map FM1 and the second follicular mapFM2, determine a transformation function TF12 which relates hair rootpositions in the first follicular map FM1 to hair root positions of thesame hair in the second follicular map FM2. The common skin area OV1 ofthe first follicular map FM1 may thus be related to the common skin areaOV2 of the second follicular map FM2 by transformation function TF12 asschematically illustrated in FIG. 5. When the first follicular map FM1relates to a first videodermoscopy image registered at a first moment intime, such as before a treatment, and the second follicular map FM2relates to a second videodermoscopy image registered at a second latermoment in time, such as after the treatment, analyzing differencesbetween the common skin area of the first follicular map FM1 and thecommon skin area of the second follicular map FM2 and/or analyzingdifferences between the common skin area of the first videodermoscopyimage IM1 and the common skin area of the second videodermoscopy imageIM2 may allow a largely improved precision compared to known techniques.Using the follicular maps to identify the common skin area, i.e.,corresponding skin areas in both follicular maps, largely improves theprecision of the analysis. Whereas prior art techniques relied stronglyon exactly the same positioning of the camera on the skin and the samefield of view, the use of the matching follicular maps makes theanalysis largely independent of size, shape and distortion of the areaused for the videodermoscopic analysis. The size, shape and distortionof the area of the skin registered on a videodermoscopy image may varysignificantly when two images are registered at different moments intime and/or different locations. For example, if the skin is stretchedor displaced by pressing the videodermoscopic lens, the actualmeasurement area may differ up to 30%, which results in an inaccurateanalysis with known techniques.

For example, identifying which of the hair root positions in the firstfollicular map FM1, and hence which hair in the first videodermoscopyimage IM1 corresponds to which of the hair root positions in the secondfollicular map FM2, and hence which hair in the second videodermoscopyimage IM2, allows an accurate determination of which hair has appearedand which hair has disappeared, based on tracking individual hair ratherthan mere statistics over the overlap area. E.g., instead of determiningthat the number of hair has increased from 100 to 105 for a specificsubject after a certain period of time, it may be determined that 5 hairwere lost and 10 came new. Such knowledge may be of relevance whenassessing certain kinds of hair disorder. For determination oftherapeutic effects of new substances in clinical trials, this techniqueand the corresponding precision improvement, may allow to reduce thenumber of test patient samples necessary to obtained conclusive result.

As shown in FIG. 4, the map processor MPP′ may a matching unit MAT. Thematching unit MAT may be arranged to at least relate hair root positionsin the second follicular map to hair root positions of the firstfollicular map in at least the common skin area to determine a pluralityof related hair root positions. Each related hair root position of ahair root in the second follicular map may thus be related to a hairroot position in the first follicular map of the same hair root. Thismay be performed as part of determining the common skin area, or afterthe common skin are has been determined. Hereby, the method determinesrelates hair root positions of the second plurality of hair rootpositions in the second videodermoscopy image to hair root positions ofthe first plurality of hair root positions in the first videodermoscopyimage in at least the common skin area to determine related hair rootpositions.

The map processor MAP may be arranged to, in determining the common skinarea from at least analyzing the first plurality of positions of hairroots and the second plurality of positions of hair roots, findcorresponding positions of hair roots by minimizing their relativedistance in one or more iterations.

In embodiments, the matching unit MAP is arranged to, as part ofrelating hair root positions and/or while determining a common skin areafrom the first follicular map FM1 and the second follicular map FM2,initialize a transformation function TF12 and iteratively adapt thetransformation function TF12. The iterative adaptation comprises:

-   -   applying the transformation function TF12 to the first plurality        of hair root positions of the first follicular map FM1 to obtain        a first plurality of transformed hair root positions,    -   relating the first plurality of transformed hair root positions        to the second plurality of hair root positions of the second        follicular map FM2,    -   determining relative distances between transformed hair root        positions of the first plurality of transformed hair root        positions and the related hair root positions of the second        plurality of hair root positions to obtain a correspondence        metric, and    -   adapting the transformation function TF12 to minimize the        correspondence metric.

In further embodiments, the matching unit MAP is arranged to, as part ofiteratively adapting the transformation function, further use at leastone parameter of hair associated with the transformed hair rootpositions and hair associated with the related hair root positions toobtain the correspondence metric, the at least one parameter comprisingat least one parameter from a group consisting of hair shaft diameter,hair length, hair growth, hair color.

In further embodiments, the matching unit MAP is arranged to, as part ofinitializing the transformation function TF, detect positions of a firstplurality of reference symbols REF1 on the skin in the firstvideodermoscopy image IM1, detect positions of a second plurality ofreference symbols REF2 on the skin in the second videodermoscopy imageIM2, initialize the transformation function TF12 to reflect atransformation from the positions of a first plurality of referencesymbols REF1 to the positions of a second plurality of reference symbolsREF2.

The first and second plurality of reference symbols REF1, REF2 may be aplurality of micro-tattoos on the skin, for example 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 16 orany suitable number of micro-tattoos. The micro-tattoos may, as in knownmethods, be used to roughly position the videodermoscope at roughlycorresponding positions on the skin to register suitable videodermoscopyimages at subsequent moments in time.

The map processor MPP′ may be further arranged to at least analysedifferences between at least the common skin area OV1 in the firstfollicular map FM1 and the common skin area OV2 in the second follicularmap FM2 to determine the analysis result suitable for assessment of haircondition. The map processor MPP′ may thus analyze differences betweenhair root positions, number of hair roots and hair root density. Thefirst follicular map fm1 may, e.g., be associated with a firstvideodermoscopy image im1 registered before the start of a treatment,and the second follicular map FM2 may associated with a secondvideodermoscopy image IM2 registered after a certain duration of thetreatment. Analysing the differences may then give an analysis resultsuitable for supporting the examination of hair condition, in particularwhether symptoms have changed as a result of the treatment. The mapprocessor MPP′ may be arranged to, in determining the analysis result,identify an appearing of new hair roots in the common skin area in thesecond follicular map compared to the common skin area in the firstfollicular map. The map processor MPP′ may provide the appearing of newhair roots as an indication of new growth as part of the analysisresult. The map processor MPP′ may be arranged to, in determining theanalysis result, identify a disappearing of hair roots from the commonskin area in the second follicular map compared to the common skin areain the first follicular map. The map processor MPP′ may provide thedisappearing of hair roots as an indication of hair loss as part of theanalysis result. The map processor MPP′ may be arranged to, indetermining the analysis result, determine a difference in total numberof hair roots in the common skin area OV2 in the second follicular mapFM1 compared to the common skin area OV1 in the first follicular mapOV2. The map processor MPP′ may be arranged to, in determining theanalysis result, determine a difference in hair density in the commonskin area OV2 in the second follicular map FM2 compared to the commonskin area OV1 in the first follicular map FM1.

In further or alternative embodiments, the map processor MPP′ isarranged to at least analyse differences between at least the commonskin area in the first videodermoscopy image IM1 and the common skinarea in the second videodermoscopy image IM2 to determine the analysisresult suitable for assessment of hair condition. The map processor MPP′may thus analyze differences between hair in the common skin area of thefirst videodermoscopy image IM1 and hair in the common skin area in thesecond videodermoscopy image IM2. Individual hair may be compared as foreach hair in the first videodermoscopy image IM1, the related hair inthe second videodermoscopy image IM2 can be identified, e.g. by applyingthe transformation function TF12 to the hair root position from thefirst follicular map FM1 to find the related hair root position in thesecond follicular map FM2. The first videodermoscopy image IM1 may havebeen registered before the start of a treatment, and the secondvideodermoscopy IM2 image may have been registered after a certainduration of the treatment. Analysing the differences may then give ananalysis result suitable for supporting the examination of haircondition, in particular whether symptoms have changed as a result ofthe treatment. The map processor MPP′ may hereto be arranged to, inanalyse differences between at least the common skin area in the firstvideodermoscopy image and the common skin area in the secondvideodermoscopy image, determine differences between at least oneparameters of a group of parameters consisting of average hair diameter,hair diameter distribution, average hair length, hair lengthdistribution, hair colors, hair color distribution, and/or at least onehair density.

FIG. 6 shows another analysis unit ANA″′ for assessment of haircondition according to another embodiment. The analysis unit ANA′″ shownin FIG. 6 differs from the analysis unit ANA″ shown in FIG. 4 in thatthe analysis unit ANA″′ further comprises a storage interface unit SIFarranged to cooperate with a storage unit STOR. Storage unit STOR isshown to be external to the analysis unit ANA′″, but may in alternativeembodiments ne an integral part of analysis unit ANA′″. Storage unitSTOR may be a cloud device, and may as such be connected to the analysisunit ANA″′ permanently or only when the analysis unit ANA″′ connects tothe storage unit STOR. The storage interface unit SIF is arranged tostore the follicular maps FM1, FM2, and optionally the videodermoscopyimages IM1, IM2, in the storage unit STOR after the follicular maps FM1,FM2 have been obtained from the image processor IMP′ or the mapmodification unit MOD. The storage interface unit SIF is furtherarranged to retrieve the follicular maps FM1, FM2, and optionally thevideodermoscopy images IM1, IM2, from the storage unit STOR foranalysis.

FIG. 7 shows another analysis unit ANA″″ for assessment of haircondition according to another embodiment. The analysis unit ANA″′ shownin FIG. 7 differs from the analysis unit ANA″′ shown in FIG. 6 in thatthe analysis unit ANA″″ does not comprise the image processor IMP′ andthe map modification unit MOD. The image processor IMP′ and the mapmodification unit MOD′ are instead provided as part of a separate unitshown as image provided IMPRO. The image provider IMPRO furthercomprises a first storage interface unit SIF1 arranged to cooperate witha storage unit STOR. Storage unit STOR may be a cloud device, and may assuch be connected to the image provider IMPRO and the analysis unitANA′″ permanently or only when image provider IMPRO or the analysis unitANA″′ connects to the storage unit STOR. The storage interface unit SIFis arranged to store the follicular maps FM1, FM2, and optionally thevideodermoscopy images IM1, IM2, in the storage unit STOR after thefollicular maps FM1, FM2 have been obtained from the image processorIMP′. The analysis unit ANA″″ comprises a second storage interface unitSIF2 arranged to cooperate with the storage unit STOR. The secondstorage interface unit SIF2 is arranged to retrieve the follicular mapsFM1, FM2, and optionally the videodermoscopy images IM1, IM2, from thestorage unit STOR for analysis.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a system SYS for assessment of haircondition. The system SYS comprises an upload unit UPL, an analysis unitANU, and a presentation unit PRES. The upload unit UPL is arranged toreceive one or more videodermoscopy images, e.g. from a dermatologist oran assistant thereof that registered the videodermoscopy images on ascalp from a patient, e.g. by feeding into a scanner, by retrieving froma storage for example at the dematologists'clinic, or by retrieving froma communication network. The one or more videodermoscopy images compriseat least the first videodermoscopy image. The upload unit UPL is furtherarranged to upload the one or more videodermoscopy images to theanalysis unit, for example via a communication network, or via e-mail,or as a hardcopy via surface mail or a delivery service. The analysisunit ANU is arranged to receive the one or more videodermoscopy imagesfrom the upload unit UPL. The analysis unit ANU is arranged to obtain avideodermoscopic analysis result from the one or more videodermoscopyimages. Tthe videodermoscopic analysis result comprises at least one ofthe analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition asobtained by one of the analysis units described with reference to FIG.1-FIG. 7, and an examination result derived from the analysis resultresult. The presentation unit PRES is arranged to receive thevideodermoscopic analysis result from the analysis unit ANU and topresent at least part of the analysis result to a user. The presentationunit PRES may be arranged to present at least part of the analysisresult to a user on, for example, a display, on paper, in acomputer-readable data format, in a human-readable form or on a datastorage medium, in a qualitative or quantitative manner, as a graphicalor textual, such as table or phrases, representation. The user may,e.g., be a patient, a general practitioner, a dermatology nurse, adermatologist, or a scientist.

FIG. 8 shows that the system SYS may further comprise a result checkunit RCHK. The result check unit RCHK is arranged to receive thevideodermoscopic analysis result from the analysis unit ANU. The resultcheck unit RCHK is arranged to review the videodermoscopic analysisresult and to modify the videodermoscopic analysis result. For example,the videodermoscopic analysis result may be changed, supplemented,summarized or reformatted. The videodermoscopic analysis result may e.g.be supplemented with a diagnosis of a hair disorder, a treatmentproposal or a treatment change. E.g., an expert system or a human expertdermatologist may draw a diagnosis as the presence, or lack of presence,of AGA. The result check unit RCHK is arranged to provide thevideodermoscopic analysis result as modified to the presentation unit toallow the presentation unit to present at least part of thevideodermoscopic analysis result as modified to the user. The resultcheck unit RCHK may be connected to the analysis unit ANU via acommunication network such as the internet, whereby the result check andthe image processing may take place at different geographical locations.The result check unit RCHK may alternatively be directly connected tothe analysis unit ANU and part of a single unit, e.g., the analysis unitANU and the result check unit RCHK may be implemented in a personalcomputer of a dermatologist.

As shown in FIG. 8, the upload unit UPL may be connected to the analysisunit ANU via a communication network COMM. The communication networkCOMM may be a virtual private network. The communication network COMMmay be the Internet. Hereby, videodermoscopic images registered atvarious places, e.g. at various dermatologic clinics, may be sent viathe internet to the analysis unit ANU at a centralized location, atwhich centralized location a consistent and quality-controlledprocessing may be performed to obtain the follicular maps and theanalysis results. The processing at the centralized location simplifiesthe use of a pool of well-trained staff to do the review andmodification of the follicular maps described above with reference tothe map modification unit MOD.

As shown in FIG. 8, the presentation unit PRES may be connected to theanalysis unit ANU via a communication network. The communication networkmay be the same virtual private network, another virtual privatenetwork, or, for example, the Internet. The analysis unit ANU may thusbe at a central location, and the presentation unit PRES may be at ageneral practitioner, a nurse, a patient, or elsewhere.

In embodiments, the system SYS comprises a user terminal TERM. The userterminal TERM comprises the upload unit UPL and the presentation unitPRES. The user terminal TERM is connected to the analysis unit ANU via acommunication network COMM. The user terminal TERM may, e.g., be acomputer at a dermatologist's clinic that can connect via the internet,e.g. using a virtual private network, to the analysing unit ANU at acentralized location.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a method M_ANA for assessment of haircondition according to an embodiment. The method M_ANA comprisesobtaining OBT a first follicular map FM1 representing a first pluralityof hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image. The methodM_ANA comprises analysing M_MPP at least the first follicular map todetermine an analysis result ANR1 suitable for assessment of haircondition. Reference is further made to FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 schematically shows a method M_ANA′ for assessment of haircondition according to a further embodiment. The method M_ANA′ comprisesperforming M_IMP an image processing algorithm on a firstvideodermoscopy image IM1 to obtain a first follicular map FM1representing a first plurality of hair root positions in the firstvideodermoscopy image. The method M_ANA′ further comprises analysingM_MPP at least the first follicular map to determine an analysis resultANR1 suitable for assessment of hair condition. The method M_ANA′ mayfurther comprise a present-and-modify option M_MOD comprising presentingthe first follicular map as obtained from the performing of the imageprocessing algorithm on the first videodermoscopy image to a humanassistant, and allow the human assistant to review the first follicularmap and to modify the first follicular map such as to, at least, addand/or remove one or more hair root positions from the first follicularmap.

FIG. 11 schematically shows a method M_ANA″ for assessment of haircondition according to again a further embodiment. The method M_ANA″′comprises performing M_IMP′ an image processing algorithm on a firstvideodermoscopy image IM1 to obtain a first follicular map FM1representing a first plurality of hair root positions in the firstvideodermoscopy image and performing M_IMP′ an image processingalgorithm on a second videodermoscopy image to obtain the secondfollicular map representing the second plurality of hair root positionsin the first videodermoscopy image to obtain FM2 a second follicular maprepresenting a second plurality of hair root positions in a secondvideodermoscopy image. The method M_ANA″′ may further comprise apresent-and-modify option M_MOD′ comprising presenting the firstfollicular map as obtained from the performing of the image processingalgorithm on the first videodermoscopy image to a human assistant, andallow the human assistant to review the first follicular map and tomodify the first follicular map such as to, at least, add and/or removeone or more hair root positions from the first follicular map, andpresenting the second follicular map as obtained from the performing ofthe image processing algorithm on the second videodermoscopy image to ahuman assistant, and allow the human assistant to review the secondfollicular map and to modify the second follicular map such as to, atleast, add and/or remove one or more hair root positions from secondfirst follicular map. The method M_ANA″′ may comprises determining acommon skin area from the first follicular map FM1 and the secondfollicular map FM2.

The method may comprise uploading one or more videodermoscopy images toan analysis unit via a communication network, for letting the analysisunit perform the method according to any one of the embodiments above,and receiving the videodermoscopic analysis result from the analysis viathe communication network.

The method may further comprise receiving one or more videodermoscopyimages by an upload unit, uploading the one or more videodermoscopyimages from the upload unit to an analysis unit via a communicationnetwork, for letting the analysis unit perform the method, andpresenting at least part of the videodermoscopic analysis result to auser.

FIG. 12 shows a computer readable medium CRMED comprising a computerprogram product CPP, the computer program product CPP comprisinginstructions for causing a processor apparatus to perform a methodaccording to any one embodiment or a part of thereof. The computerprogram product CPP may be embodied on the computer readable mediumCRMED as physical marks or by means of magnetization of the computerreadable medium CPP. However, any other suitable embodiment isconceivable as well. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that, althoughthe computer readable medium CRMED is shown in FIG. 9 as an opticaldisc, the computer readable medium CRMED may be any suitable computerreadable medium, such as a hard disk, solid state memory, flash memory,etc., and may be non-recordable or recordable. The computer programproduct CPP may thus comprise a computer program comprising instructionsarranged to, when executed by a computer, execute at least part of themethod of any one of the embodiments described above.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustraterather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art willbe able to design many alternative embodiments.

The invention may also be implemented in a computer program for runningon a computer system, at least including code portions for performingsteps of a method according to the invention when run on a programmableapparatus, such as a computer system or enabling a programmableapparatus to perform functions of a device or system according to theinvention. The computer program may for instance include one or more of:a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an objectimplementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, asource code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load libraryand/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system. The computer program may be provided on a data carrier,such as a CD-type optical disc, a DVD-type optical disc, a hard disk, ordiskette, stored with data loadable in a memory of a computer system,the data representing the computer program. The data carrier may thus bea tangible data carrier. The data carrier may be a data connection, suchas a telephone cable or a network cable. The data carrier may further bea non-tangible data carrier such as a wireless connection.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall notbe construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and itsconjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps otherthan those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding anelement does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising severaldistinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. Inthe device claim enumerating several means, several of these means maybe embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact thatcertain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims doesnot indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used toadvantage.

1. An analysis unit for assessment of hair condition, the analysis unitcomprising a map processor, the map processor being configured to:obtain a first follicular map representing a first plurality of hairroot positions in a first videodermoscopy image, and analyze at leastthe first follicular map to determine an analysis result suitable forassessment of hair condition.
 2. The analysis unit according to claim 1,further comprising: an image processor, the image processor configuredto perform an image processing algorithm on a first videodermoscopyimage to generate the first follicular map representing the firstplurality of hair root positions in the first videodermoscopy image, andthe map processor being configured to obtain the first follicular mapfrom the image processor.
 3. The analysis unit according to claim 2, theimage processor being configured to, as part of obtaining the firstfollicular map, cooperate with a map modification unit, the mapmodification unit being configured to: present the first follicular mapas obtained from the performing of the image processing algorithm on thefirst videodermoscopy image to a human assistant, and allow the humanassistant to review the first follicular map and to modify the firstfollicular map such as to, at least, add and/or remove one or more hairroot positions from the first follicular map.
 4. The analysis unitaccording to claim 1, the map processor being configured to, as part ofanalyzing at least the first follicular map to determine the analysisresult, perform a statistical analysis of hair root distances betweenhair roots positions of the first plurality of hair root positions. 5.The analysis unit according to claim 4, the map processor beingconfigured to, as part of performing the statistical analysis of hairroot distances between hair root positions: determine a hair rootdistance distribution, and determine at least a first and a secondrelative contribution to the hair root distance distribution of at leasta first and a second distribution component function.
 6. The analysisunit according to claim 5, the relative contribution of the firstdistribution component function being an indication for a degree of ahair disorder of a first type.
 7. The analysis unit according to claim1, the map processor being further configured to at least: obtain asecond follicular map representing a second plurality of hair rootpositions in a second videodermoscopy image, and determine a common skinarea from the first follicular map and the second follicular map.
 8. Theanalysis unit according to claim 7, the image processor being furtherconfigured to perform an image processing algorithm on a secondvideodermoscopy image to generate the second follicular map representingthe second plurality of hair root positions in the secondvideodermoscopy image, and the map processor being configured to obtainthe second follicular map from the image processor.
 9. The analysis unitaccording to claim 7, the map processor including a matching unit, thematching unit being configured to at least: relate hair root positionsin the second follicular map to hair root positions of the firstfollicular map in the common skin area to determine a plurality ofrelated hair root positions, each related hair root position of a hairroot in the second follicular map being related to a hair root positionin the first follicular map of the same hair root.
 10. The analysis unitaccording to claim 7, the map processor being further configured to atleast: analyze differences between the common skin area in the firstfollicular map and the common skin area in the second follicular map todetermine the analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition.11. The analysis unit according to claim 10, the map processor beingfurther configured to, in determining the analysis result: identify anappearing of new hair roots in the common skin area in the secondfollicular map compared to the common skin area in the first follicularmap, and/or identify a disappearing of hair roots from the common skinarea in the second follicular map compared to the common skin area inthe first follicular map.
 12. The analysis unit according to claim 7,the map processor being further configured to at least analyzedifferences between at least the common skin area in the firstvideodermoscopy image and the common skin area in the secondvideodermoscopy image to determine the analysis result suitable forassessment of hair condition.
 13. The analysis unit according to claim12, the map processor being further configured to, in analyzingdifferences between at least the common skin area in the firstvideodermoscopy image and the common skin area in the secondvideodermoscopy image, determine differences between at least oneparameters of a group of parameters consisting of average hair diameter,hair diameter distribution, average hair length, hair lengthdistribution, hair colors, hair color distribution, and/or at least onehair density.
 14. A system for assessment of hair condition, furthercomprising: an upload unit; an analysis unit for assessment of haircondition, the analysis unit comprising: a map processor, the mapprocessor being configured to: obtain a first follicular maprepresenting a first plurality of hair root positions in a firstvideodermoscopy image, and analyze at least the first follicular map todetermine an analysis result suitable for assessment of hair condition;and a presentation unit, the upload unit being arranged to receive oneor more videodermoscopy images, the one or more videodermoscopy imagescomprising at least the first videodermoscopy image and to upload theone or more videodermoscopy images to the analysis unit, and theanalysis unit being arranged to receive the one or more videodermoscopyimages from the upload unit and to obtain a videodermoscopic analysisresult from the one or more videodermoscopy images, the videodermoscopicanalysis result comprising at least one of: the analysis result suitablefor assessment of hair condition, and an examination result derived fromat least one of the analysis result suitable for assessment of haircondition, and the presentation unit being arranged to receive thevideodermoscopic analysis result from the analysis unit and to presentat least part of the analysis result to a user.
 15. The system accordingto claim 14, further comprising a result check unit, the result checkunit being configured to: receive the videodermoscopic analysis resultfrom the analysis unit, review the videodermoscopic analysis result andto modify the videodermoscopic analysis result, and provide thevideodermoscopic analysis result as modified to the presentation unit toallow the presentation unit to present at least part of thevideodermoscopic analysis result as modified to the user.
 16. The systemaccording to claim 14, at least one of the upload unit and thepresentation unit being connected to the analysis unit via acommunication network.
 17. A method for assessment of hair condition,the method comprising: obtaining a first follicular map representing afirst plurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image,and analyzing at least the first follicular map to determine an analysisresult suitable for assessment of hair condition.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising: performing an image processing algorithmon a first videodermoscopy image to obtain the first follicular maprepresenting the first plurality of hair root positions in the firstvideodermoscopy image.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:obtaining a second follicular map representing a second plurality ofhair root positions in a second videodermoscopy image, and determining acommon skin area from the first follicular map and the second follicularmap.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: performing an imageprocessing algorithm on a second videodermoscopy image to obtain thesecond follicular map representing the second plurality of hair rootpositions in the second videodermoscopy image.
 21. A non-transitorycomputer readable storage media having computer-executable instructionsconfigured to, when executed by a processor, perform the stepscomprising: obtaining a first follicular map representing a firstplurality of hair root positions in a first videodermoscopy image; andanalyzing at least the first follicular map to determine an analysisresult suitable for assessment of hair condition. .